Category Archives: Opinion

Everton: End of Season Review – The Positives and Negatives

  By O-Posts Team | May 23, 2013 - 23:20 | , , ,
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Everton’s season started with a magnificent Marouane Fellaini-inspired victory over Man Utd and ended meaninglessly with defeat to Chelsea to confirm an unwanted sixth place and David Moyes’ exit.

A year that proved Moyes’ last offered some of the most genuine hope seen at Goodison for years, yet ultimately yielded routine feelings of frustration and hopelessness.

Ignoring the obvious blight on Everton’s season, the board, and talking only tactics, here are my top five positives and negatives from the Toffees’ season.

The positives

 

1. Right-sided Baines

They talk about ‘big years’ for youngsters. This was one for Seamus Coleman. After starting well but suffering a substantial injury, the Irishman returned with a Man of the Match display away at Norwich in February and has barely dropped his standards since.

Coleman’s improvement has been staggering, returning to his fearless, galloping best in the final third whilst developing his defensive determination and understanding in a manner that seemed beyond him.

Coleman perfectly complements Leighton Baines.

 

2. Is Gibson starting?

In his first full season at Goodison, Darron Gibson has become Everton’s most important player. Many Evertonians even wanted him to replace Phil Neville as captain. Deployed in a deeper role than at Man Utd, Gibson connects defence and midfield, midfield and attack, left and right. He holds everything together.

Whenever injury or tactical blunder removed Gibson from the starting line up – away at West Brom, at home to Wigan – Everton fell to pieces.

Next season, he needs to shoot more often but otherwise, an excellent year.

 

3. Belgian Ronaldo

Kevin Mirallas’ debut season has been fantastic. It’s offered everything YouTube promised and more.

Mirallas’ sharp mind, quick feet and burst of acceleration has often been the difference between an attack and a goal scoring opportunity. He is the first post-Arteta, ‘he’s worth the entrance money alone’ Everton player. Like Coleman, injury restricted Mirallas’ campaign, he looked the business in nearly every appearance.

Free from injury, with an attacking manager and more opportunity up front, Mirallas should score 20 next season.

Mirallas.... brilliant coup by the Toffees.

Mirallas…. brilliant coup by the Toffees.

 

4. Brains and brawn

This season, Everton have played their best football for nearly 30 years. The Toffees were equally comfortable with either a powerful, direct approach which made use of both Victor Anichebe’s strength and Marouane Fellaini’s superb chest control to set up attacks (eg v Man Utd), or the incisive, short passing which has spread from Pienaar and Baines to the rest of the team, and allowed Everton to retain possession for long periods and wait to pounce (eg v West Ham).

Both attacking strategies are backed up by relentless, collective pressing designed to close down space and retain the ball as quickly as possible (eg v Arsenal).

 

5. Tough to beat

Everton started the season on the back of a 9-game unbeaten run in the league and went only to lose only seven all year – the lowest season total under Moyes. The Toffees lost the fewest Premier League home games (one) which was in truth a healthy distraction from a sub-standard away record – winless since Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

But Everton did gain 22 points from losing positions, and in fairness, several of those were lost causes – Liverpool, Spurs and Aston Villa at home for example. What has been markedly different is the attitude after conceding.

Heads never dropped, tempo always increased, quality improved, and more often than not, Everton drew level. This resilience has served the Toffees well.
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The negatives

 

1. Too many draws

Everton drew 15 times this season. Whilst many points were earned from behind, eight were dropped in the last five minutes of games. Had Everton held on, they’d have been a point ahead of Arsenal after 37 games (at which point a corrupt deal with Chelsea could have sealed both clubs’ Champions League spots!).

Fulham away is one such game. Everton’s 15 shots on target to the Cottagers’ six meant nothing as Steve Sidwell’s 90th minute goal made it 2-2.

A lack of killer instinct – as also evidenced by the rarity of comfortable victories – has hampered Everton all season, which miserably leads on to…

 

2. Bloody Jelavic

Nikica Jelavic cost Everton Europe. His finishing has been horrible to watch. There are factors to consider. Momentum from his first, second and third run is consistently halted by Everton’s slow, long-ball-to-Fellaini’s-chest tactics which barely ever feature a flick-on, plus striking is evidently Moyes’ weakest department.

Despite this, Jelavic has had enough chances to more than double his 8-goal haul, and with a more direct, offensively astute manager next season, this is his challenge to prove himself again.

Jelavic: Fantastic last season, not so much this campaign.

Jelavic: Fantastic last season, not so much this campaign.

 

3. Round peg, square hole

Moyes has a penchant for players out of position. Whilst necessity has forced his hand at times – eg Steven Naismith wide to cover Coleman/ Mirallas – a fair few selections were counter-productive and unnecessary.

Phil Jagielka, Everton’s best defender, has played at right-back with Phil Neville in defensive-midfield, whilst Fellaini, the league’s best defensive midfielder, was pushed forward into space created by opting to play Mirallas, the Greek Super League top scoring striker, out wide.

Granted Fellaini’s been effective but I’d back Mirallas’ goal scoring ability over his any day, and the style of play that goes with it.

Play your best players in their best position.

 

4. Poor squad management

Moyes has made Everton’s small squad much smaller by repeatedly selecting the same players. He has 11 first names on the team sheet, and no faith in fringe/ youth players.

31-year-old Leon Osman regularly joined up with England for the first time, and yet started more Everton games than ever before – 42 compared to the 10 Ross Barkley, Thomas Hitzelsperger, Bryan Oviedo and Francisco Junior have started between them. Bar Santi Cazorla, Osman was the league’s most dribbled past player – essentially second place in a fatigue contest.

Also, Tim Howard sits too comfortably at Goodison Park. Costly errors are too common. More Jan Mucha involvement would have forced Howard to up his game, as witnessed late – too late – in the season.

 

5. You’ll never win anything without kids

Despite reaching the u-21 Premier League semi-finals, Everton’s youngsters were overlooked all year. Promising talents like Shane Duffy, Apostollos Vellios and ConorMcAleny actually appeared less than in previous years. Work that one out. And that’s without mentioning Ross Barkley.

If he was good enough to start for Everton in 2011, and good enough to start two of 2013′s biggest games (Spurs and Arsenal away), he’s definitely good enough to have more than seven appearances this season, especially after two decent Championship loan spells.

Moyes’ departure will be to Barkley’s gain.

 

Written by Chris Smith, writer and owner of the excellent The Russian Linesman.

Follow Chris on Twitter @cdsmith789

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Borussia Dortmund: A Team To Be Admired

  By O-Posts Team | May 23, 2013 - 21:17 | , , , ,
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Incredible team spirit, hunger, determination and hard work are qualities usually associated with British football. But the highly regarded Jürgen Klopp married these attributes up with high tempo pressing, great movement, superb one touch and first time passing and interplay to make Dortmund not only pleasing on the eye, but also a formidable team of winners.

When you add to the mix a stadium full of 80,000 passionate fans providing one of the best atmospheres in the game, with close bonds to their heroes on the pitch, you’re left with something quite special.

This Dortmund side of the past three seasons have certainly been special. It’s a side that should be appreciated because the signs are that the big money clubs are circling to tear it apart. Bayern Munich have already activated the £31.5m buyout clause in Mario Götze’s contract, that will see him move to the Allianz Arena this summer. Striker Robert Lewandowski could be joining him and there are strong rumours Barcelona want star defender Mats Hummels.

It’s quite conceivable Dortmund could lose 3 of their 5 star players in one window and despite the sizeable fees they would receive if all three deals do indeed happen, it would be tough to quickly find replacements of equal quality.

The influence of Klopp cannot be underestimated, Dortmund had finished a disappointing 13th prior to his arrival from Mainz in 2008. They finished 6th in his first year and 5th the following season, before leading them to their first Bundesliga crown in 9 years in 2010/11. That season saw the emergence of Mario Götze and the rise to prominence of Nuri Sahin before a summer move to Real Madrid.

Robert Lewandowski, Lukasz Piszczek and Shinji Kagawa were all summer 2010 signings, joining the likes of Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Sven Bender, already recruited by Klopp.

2011/12 saw the departed Nuri Sahin replaced by Ilkay Gündogan, now seen by many as one of the most exciting midfield prospects in world football. With Lucas Barrios now also gone, Lewandowski took over the goalscoring mantle with aplomb, linking up well with Kagawa as Dortmund played some great football on their way to successfully defending their Bundesliga crown. With injury interrupting Götze’s season, Kagawa was able to shine and doing so, attracted the attention of Man Utd.

However, Klopp reinvested the Kagawa money wisely in an even better player and Dortmund’s next star: Marco Reus.

Neither the 2010/11 Europa League nor 2011/12 Champions League campaigns were a success, but were understandably overshadowed by the joy of winning consecutive Bundesliga titles. However, lessons were learned, clearly evident in their road to the Champions League final this year.

Perhaps it was this improved European campaign and switch of focus contributed to a stuttering 2012/13 Bundesliga season. Despite an improved league form in the second half of the season, an imperious Bayern Munich were already well on the way to a record setting Bundesliga title win. That in itself is no shame, Bayern are a fantastic side, the strongest in Europe, but head-to-head there’s still only a piece of paper between them.

This is a Dortmund side with many talented players maturing and yet to peak. The almost telepathic movement and link up between Reus, Götze and Lewandowski has been a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, injury to Götze will prevent us seeing it one last time and on the biggest stage. Reus has been superb this season, replacing the creativity of Kagawa and adding more goals. In midfield, Sven Bender is beginning to be noticed more, whilst Gündogan’s vision, range of passing, creativity, goal threat, defensive awareness and mobility make him an irresistible force.

Like the all-conquering Barcelona side of recent years, Dortmund are as much to be admired without the ball, as they are with it. The high tempo and organised pressing of opponents is as important as what they do when the have the ball.

In all likelihood, this could be a testing summer ahead for those running Borussia Dortmund, to resist the approaches of the footballing powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Barcelona casting an admiring eye toward Reus, Hummels, Gündogan and Jürgen Klopp.

So, this is not hype, hyperbole or band wagon jumping. This is just a football fan with a long running affinity to Borussia Dortmund saying enjoy them and appreciate this team, while you still can.

 

Written by Andy Wales

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Napoli: Mazzarri’s exit ushers in era of change at the Partenopei

  By O-Posts Team | May 21, 2013 - 20:01 | , , ,
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After the curtain fell on the 2012/2013 Serie A season, it also fell signified the final act of Walter Mazzari at Napoli, revealing in the aftermath of a 2-1 defeat to AS Roma that suspicions he would end his four year spell at the San Paolo were true. The 51 year old coach will quit with his future plans as uncertain as that of the club he has just left behind.

Two days later and Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s film-maker owner, has publicly revealed that Manchester City are in talks to sign Edinson Cavani, the shining diamond of the club’s recent resurgence, scorer of 78 goals in 104 games since his move from Palermo in 2010.

The Uruguayan was at the forefront of the “Holy Trinity”, the attacking triumvirate, alongside Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, that led Napoli to the Champions League in 2011. Lavezzi left for PSG last summer after a year of regression, they finished fifth, but Mazzarri managed to transform fortunes once more this season, guiding the Partenopei an automatic return to Europe’s premier competition through a runners-up spot in Serie A.

Mazzarri has been non-committal on his future for the duration of the season with his contract due to expire in the summer, but how his players have remained motivated to deliver success despite the unrest is testament to the abilities of the outgoing coach. There has been a 17 point improvement on last season as they finished second despite issues over strength in depth of the squad, only 13 players have started over 10 times for Napoli this term.

That has been largely down to the potent form of Cavani, scorer of 36 goals from 41 games despite suffering from an uncharacteristic goal-drought stretching 8 matches in the midst of the campaign. There was no coincidence in the fact Napoli went on a seven game winless run in the midst of El Matador’s goalless spell, his immaculate physique and powerful ability imperative to Napoli’s fortunes.

That he will be a monumental absence to the future of the club was best indicated by De Laurentiis’s desperation to tie his striker down to a six-year deal earlier in the season, in which he installed a £63 million buy-out clause. “I do not need the money, I need Cavani” he said.

There is a sense however, that the 26 year old is due to move on. In January, the gap between Napoli and Juventus at the top of the table was just 3 points and Cavani was targeting the end of Naples’ 23 year wait for a third Scudetto. The Uruguayan desperately wanted to win something during his time at the San Paolo and his three years has only reaped last year’s Coppa Italia.

Despite cautious ownership, recent accounts have revealed that Napoli are in the black for the 6th year running, ambition can often outweigh boardroom prudence and it has dictated Cavani and Mazzarri, sadly, should move on to realise it.

For Mazzarri’s successor, Napoli remain an attractive proposition. Threatened with the tribulation of losing Lavezzi and midfield enforcer Walter Gargano in the summer, the likes of Valon Behrami and Alessandro Gamberini were bought in, as well as Portuguese defender Rolando on loan from Porto. Mazzarri’s specialist 3-4-1-2 can be difficult to adapt to and that is what some of the players in their debut year have found.

In attack, Cavani’s goal-scoring burden hasn’t been eased by the struggling Goran Pandev or the extremely raw 21 year old Lorenzo Insigne. Gokhan Inler has perhaps suffered from burn-out in midfield, starting the season well but suffering from patchy form in the second half of the campaign.

However, with 73 goals scored, the most in the league, and a tally of 36 against giving them the second meanest defensive record, there is a righteous thought that Mazzarri is leaving behind an able squad that will only improve should De Laurentiis, as expected he will do, back his new man with sufficient finances.

Other than Cavani, the new man shouldn’t face too much disruption to his playing squad, Marek Hamsik, the gifted 25 year old playmaker who has laid on 14 goals for his teammates as well as hitting 11 himself this season, has already announced his desire to stay. Replace Cavani with a quality striker, Manchester City’s discarded Edin Dzeko has been mentioned, and the post-Cavani, post-Mazzarri world will suddenly look a lot brighter.

Replacing the eccentric, chain-smoking coach in the dugout will be a lot harder for De Laurentiis however, from struggling in the bottom half of Serie A under Roberto Donadoni to the Champions League under Mazzarri, the ex-Sampdoria manager turned Napoli into one of Europe’s most entertaining clubs along the way. His system, a modified 3-5-2, was highly innovative and centred around a dangerous counter-attack.

One will hope his presence remains in football as he moves on from Naples, a city that boasts a wealth of spectacular architecture. Now it is time for its club to rebuild again, without their revolutionary coach and ruthless striker.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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La Liga: 2012-2013 Team of the Season

  By O-Posts Team | May 21, 2013 - 00:28 | , , , , , , ,
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Goalkeeper- Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid)

The 21 year old Belgian still belongs to Chelsea, but he has provided the solid backbone to Atletico’s qualification to Champions League qualification. Superb shot-stopping and solid command of his defence has ensured he has conceded just 30 goals this season, giving Simeone’s men the best defensive record in La Liga.

With 18 clean sheets he has won the league’s “Golden Glove” award in a season where he broke Abel Resino’s club record of games without conceding at home, going 820 minutes without breach at the Vicente Calderon.

 

Right-back- Carlos Martinez (Real Sociedad)

Without Martinez, Sociedad began the season by losing five of their opening eight games. Since returning, the Andalusians have embarked on a run of just 3 defeats in their last 27 as they make a surprise challenge for a Champions League qualification place.

His no-nonsense style makes him effective in defence whilst he also likes to charge forward in Phillipe Montanier’s fluid 4-3-3 system, registering 3 assists with his impressive crossing.

 

Left-back- Damia (Osasuna)

Osasuna sit in 16th place in La Liga but they possess the joint-4th best defensive record with 45 goals conceded. The 31 year old full-back, who can also play on the right, has been central to such solidity under manager Jose Mendilibar, starting 28 matches and contributing with his cautious play and rigid positional sense.

 

Centre-half- Martin Demichelis (Malaga)

The combative Argentinean has been an immense presence at the back for Manuel Pellegrini’s team, defying his 32 years of age to play 37 times, in which his love for a tackle and superb ability in the air has contributed to Malaga’s challenge for a top four spot.

Despite their hopes dying out in recent weeks, Demichelis has reinforced his reputation as a hugely-promising defender as well as being comfortable on the ball.

 

Centre-half- Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)

That Barcelona have been intensely linked with the 22 year old to take-over from the ageing Carles Puyol at the Nou Camp is indicative of the standard of season Martinez has had. The Spaniard has made 32 appearances in Sociedad’s superb season, combining a fantastic reading of the game with strength in the tackle.

 

Despite being sub-6ft, he also competes well in the air with an impressive leap and, like all good Spanish defenders, is able to bring the ball out of defence, completing over 1,000 passes over the course of the season.

 

Centre-midfield- Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla)

In his first year in Spain, the 20 year old Frenchman has grown into an excellent force at the heart of Sevilla’s midfield, attracting the likes of Arsenal to his availability. The ex-Lens enforcer patrols the area in front of his back-four with an intelligent positional sense and a dogged nature, winning 61 of his 78 attempted tackles.

As well as being able to win the ball back with impressive strength, he can also move it on effectively too, registering an 87% pass completion rate as he keeps possession ticking in Unai Emery’s midfield.

 

Centre-midfield- Benat Exteberria (Real Betis)

The 26 year old has made 30 appearances for Pepe Mel’s Europa League hunting side, scoring 4 goals and assisting another 8 with his ability to thread a fine pass from deep in midfield. Constantly on the look-out to play the ball around, he averages 53 passes per game, creating 2 chances per match on average too.

 

Benat also likes to get involved in the “ugly” side of the game judging by his 16 bookings, suggesting he is definitely not a tackler, but a gifted passer of the ball blessed with superb vision.

 

Right-midfield- Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)

The 22 year old graduate of Sociedad’s impressive youth system has chipped in with 8 goals and 3 assists as La Real look on course for a Champions League spot. Able to play right across Phillipe Montanier’s attacking quadrant, he is most at home on the wing, cutting inside of his marker with electric pace and close control.

The French youngster has made 32 appearances this term for Sociedad, impressing with his direct, intelligent displays. He also shows a high-work rate, contributing heavily to the defensive side of Sociedad’s play.

 

Left winger- Pizzi (Deportivo La Coruna)

On loan from Athletico Madrid, 23 year old Luis Miguel Afonso Fernandes, shortened to Pizzi, has shown life is bright on the left side at the Calderon with 8 goals and 6 assists to help Deportivo in their fight against relegation.

Standing at just 5ft 7, his small frame may have seen him get edged out of games, yet his ability has progressed him into a complete winger, able to cut inside, take a man on to cross, get shots away from range or take a dangerous free-kick. His electric pace and fine balance also helps Deportivo on the counter-attack.

The Portuguese has shown enough in his 33 appearances to suggest his will be a bright future.

 

Attacking midfielder- Isco (Malaga)

The 21 year old is set to follow his manager Manuel Pellegrini to Manchester City and this year’s La Liga campaign has suggested he has everything it takes to succeed in the Premier League. Blessed with fine skill and control, he is able to weave his creative magic between the lines, producing a total of 42 chances for his side this term.

He has made 43 appearances for Malaga so far this season as they narrowly missed out on the semi-finals of the Champions League and sit 6th in La Liga.

Isco’s 8 goals has contributed to that, as well as his comfort on the ball when closely marked, averaging an 84% pass completion rate in the final third, helped by his fine balance and vision.

 

Centre-Forward- Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

It hasn’t been the most successful of seasons when you consider the Argentinean’s own frighteningly high-standards, but the stats speak for themselves. 54 goals from 43 games as Barcelona romped home to the league title, on top of 14 assists.

 

Dribbling like the ball is tied to his feet, playing like his on his own untouchable plateau, Messi was threatening to beat last season’s outrageous record-breaking goal-tally before a hamstring injury took its toll towards the end of the year, his struggle for fitness clearly felt as Bayern Munich demolished the Catalans in the Champions League.

Despite his troubles, he remains the best player in the world.

 

Manager- Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

Tito Vilanova deserves a big mention for guiding Barcelona to the La Liga title despite his cancer diagnosis, whilst Phillipe Montanier has done a remarkable job in guiding Real Sociedad to the edge of the Champions League on a limited budget.

But Simeone has built on winning the Europa League last season with a superb campaign, leading Atletico to third place, their best finish since 1996, and winning the Copa Del Rey.

 

The 28 goals of Radamel Falcao has been platformed by the consistent quality of Diego Costa behind him, whilst Diego Godin, Miranda, Mario Suarez and Gabi have embodied Simeone’s fierce nature in the spine of the team, providing a rock solid shield to Thibaut Courtois’s goal.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Should “Blizzard Soccer” Be Part of the Sport?

  By O-Posts Team | May 18, 2013 - 21:58 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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The World Cup playoff game between the United States and Costa Rica on March 22, 2013 was especially memorable. Played in the middle of a storm in Colorado, the game was the closest thing to blizzard soccer fans had seen in awhile.

For 90 minutes, players had to contend with an increasingly torrential downpour of wet, white flakes. Afterwards, the severity of the conditions had millions of soccer enthusiasts wondering: should play in such treacherous conditions really be allowed?

 

Why Continue?

World Cup games are obviously the most important in the sport and can be difficult to reschedule. When a team and its fans have already traveled thousands of miles for the game, canceling is something to avoid at all costs. In addition, postponing the game may mean players won’t get enough rest before their next round.

In this particular game, it didn’t look like the weather would cooperate any time soon. If the game hadn’t been played that night, it wouldn’t have been for quite awhile.

 

Is It Safe?

In spite of tight tournament schedules and pending forecasts, the safety of the players should be the number one consideration when choosing to continue a game. Looking back, was it really safe to continue a game in the middle of a blizzard?

In defending their decision to continue play, refs saidthe players hadn’t been sliding on the snow very much. While this may be true, any soccer player will tell you injuries don’t necessarily happen during slides.

These players were cold, wet, and covered in so much snow that they could run it through an EDI water purification system and use it to hydrate themselves. In these conditions, even the slightest misstep can cause an injury. If nothing else, the players’ immune systems were lowered by the weather.

 

Who Should Make the Call?

If the game has already started, refs make the final call as to whether it will continue. However, is this fair? Shouldn’t the league, coaches and players have more of a say in whether conditions are safe?

 

Written by Michael Deaven

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Adam’s Premier League Column: Wigan Athletic Confirm Relegation

  By O-Posts Team | May 17, 2013 - 22:40 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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It’s been coming; we were just too afraid to admit it. After Wigan’s cup heroics at the weekend, there was a possibility that they could perform the ‘Great Escape’ that they have managed on countless occasions, and in fashionable style, too.

It looked like survival was on the cards after some impressive wins and vital draws, although where I think it was lost was after the FA Cup semi-final victory against Millwall. Since that game, they lost to Manchester City, West Ham and Swansea, whilst picking up a point against Tottenham and a win at West Brom. Against Swansea you felt that they were running on pure emotion, and perhaps it was just a season too far for the Latics.

They’ve left a rather big gap in the Barclays Premier League and it is a shame that they’ve dropped down to the Championship after seven years in the top-flight. I reckon that they have the credentials to come back up within their first season, or definitely the second. I do believe however that it all depends on which players decide to stay and of course whether their manager, Roberto Martinez, stays at the DW Stadium.

Since David Moyes has transferred to Old Trafford to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, who said an emotional goodbye to the club in which he won thirteen league titles, Martinez has been linked with the Everton job. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was lured to Everton and I’m sure he could do a brilliant job there. Martinez will want to remain a Premier League manager, I’m sure of it.

The result that sent them down – a 4-1 loss to Arsenal – ensured that the Gunners can clinch Champions League football if they win on the last day of the season, and Tottenham need a win to clinch the spot, as long as Arsenal draw or lose. It will make for an exciting spectacle on the last day of the season, and these are what makes the Premier League rich in excitement.

Another change in the Premier League has happened at former Premier League Champions Manchester City. On the same date that Sergio ‘Aguerooooo’ scored that infamous injury time winner to steal the title off United, City sacked Roberto Mancini. The decision had been brewing for some time, and I believe that the FA Cup loss to Wigan may have tipped the decision that was eventually made, although I feel that had he won the cup, it still might not have saved his job.

Speculation has been growing as to whom may replace the Italian, with Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini the leading candidate for the notorious job. Whether the former Real Madrid man can lead City to the success that they all crave is another thing. It’s no easy club to manage.

I’d love to see Mourinho take control of the dugout at Etihad, but that may end up just being a distant dream. Time will tell, but it didn’t seem to have an effect on the side as City stormed to a 2-0 victory at relegated Reading with Brian Kidd in charge after Mancini’s assistant, David Platt, stepped down.

David Moyes, whom I mentioned earlier, waved goodbye to the faithful at Goodison Park with the perfect send-off, beating West Ham United 2-0. It was an encouraging performance too.

Norwich ensured survival at the weekend with a telling 4-0 victory against Steve Clark’s West Brom, who have eased off the pace since survival was confirmed. I’m pleased that Norwich haveensured Premier League football for another campaign as they have an English manager in charge. I’ll support any English boss and wish them success.

Newcastle beat lowly QPR to beat the drop when a short Bosingwa ball tricked its way back to ‘keeper Robert Green, and his punt up field found Gouffran who tapped in to hand the three points to the visitors.

Tottenham kept up with Arsenal after Adebayor netted the winner from close-range. Up the other end of the table, Di Canio’s Sunderland drew at home to Southampton, and the Italian has done what was needed to be done. They’ve looked fresher since the change and at times joyous to watch, especially in the Tyne wear derby.

Daniel Sturridge netted an impressive hat-trick, his first in senior football, to beat Martin Jol’s Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage. The pick of the bunch was a sublime lob which found the bottom corner, similar to the goal he scored during the 2012 London Olympics for Team GB.

I’m looking forward to what the final day has in store in terms of the Champions League spot. But we all know that there will be far less drama than what we have experienced on the last day before.

 

Written by Adam May

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David Beckham: The brand charges on but Becks bows out unfulfilled

  By O-Posts Team | May 17, 2013 - 21:41 | , , , , , , ,
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“Old Time, the greatest and longest established spinner of all!.. his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes” said Charles Dickens, referring to the commodity of age as an almost haunting process.

There is definitely a chill about the air in 2013, the defining generation of the Premier League era is edging itself to the door. Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher both wave goodbye on Sunday, as does Paul Scholes, accompanied by his manager, who ends his 26 year stint in charge of Manchester United with a game against West Bromwich Albion.

Scholes’s exit leaves Ryan Giggs as the one remaining “Fergie Fledgling”, the one-man contradiction to the words of Dickens, as this week, over in Paris, David Beckham has also announced he is to remove himself from football’s A-list.

His news was inevitably accompanied by numerous replays of his half-way line goal against Wimbledon, as well as that free-kick against Greece that sent a sharp tingle down the most insensitive of spines as it curved into the net, sending England to the 2002 World Cup.

The perspective of ageing can be found in that particular trawl back through the archives as Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand will be the only two survivors from that 2-2 draw, twelve years on, heading back to the drudgery of pre-season in the late-summer.

As football moves on to a brave new era, there was an opportunity to dwell on Beckham’s fine, if not fantastic career. With 6 Premier League titles, a Champions League, league titles in Spain and France and a series of trophies from his time in the United States, Beckham can certainly walk away with a glimmering trophy cabinet, however there has to be a tinge of regret accompanying the nostalgia as he looks back through a career that spanned two decades.

Nearly all of Sir Alex Ferguson’s class of the mid-90s have left Manchester United effusively, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt when first team opportunities stemmed out of reach, Gary Neville when chronic injuries hit and Scholes when father-time has eventually reared his head. That is of course, all but Giggs, who is still soldiering on at the ripe old age of 38, and Beckham, who bucked the trend, leaving United shrouded in controversy and dispute.

Ferguson did not mean to kick that infamous boot at Beckham in the aftermath of a 2003 FA Cup tie against Arsenal, yet it provided the perfect illustration to accompany Beckham’s acrimonious exit to Real Madrid that summer. Beckham had developed “this fashion thing” according to Ferguson, causing him to witness his “transition into a different person”.

In the run up to the World Cup of 2002, after that meeting with Greece, Beckham suffered a foot injury in a challenge with Argentinean Aldo Duscher and the media fanfare began to take pace, almost into insanity, as it rushed Beckham into Sven Goran Eriksson’s plans for Japan and Korea.

Despite his “redemption” against Argentina in Sapporo, Beckham cut an unfit figure, jumping out of a challenge against Brazil in the quarter-finals in the build-up to Rivaldo’s equaliser. Yet England’s presence on the global stage without their captain was simply unthinkable, he had to be there, broken metatarsal or not. “Brand Beckham” had launched and for Manchester United it became too much. “His life changed when he met his wife” Ferguson once said.

Together with his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Adams, and advisor Stuart Fuller, a behemoth of a marketing campaign was forged. Beckham perfume and clothing ranges were all exposed to the world as he moved to Spain and then the United States, but his dedication to the sport he loved never let up despite the ultra sums of money he was making alongside his on-pitch exploits.

Initially phased out from Real Madrid’s squad by Fabio Capello after his move to the MLS became public, he fought his way back in to the Italian’s thinking to help secure the Spanish title in 2007. Steve McClaren dropped him from his England revolution when he succeeded Sven Goran-Eriksson in 2007 but he was back a year later, lasting until an Achilles injury ruled him out of the 2010 World Cup.

All this came after he fought his way back from the vitriolic low he slumped to after being shown a red card for a faint kick on Diego Simeone at the France ’98 World Cup. Beckham’s persistence and refusal to give-in was peerless.

He filled his off-season in America by moving on loan to AC Milan, Carlo Ancelotti voicing huge support for his relentless professionalism. From lining a tyre on the frame of the goal after training at Manchester United’s old facility at the Cliff and trying repeatedly to bend a free-kick through it, right the way to popping up at Paris St Germain at the age of 38 for one final shot at the big time, Beckham was the footballer who vehemently refused to betray his natural instincts of sheer endeavour and devotion.

It was that ruthless pursuit of excellence that transformed him into one of the very best during the late 90s, early 2000s, which he lit up with his trademark array of spectacular goals and wonderful passes that were consistently inch-perfect. Football’s evolution into the culture of celebrity engrossed him however and Manchester United seemed to be aware of his transformation into the poster boy of this new age of ultra-capitalism at the top of the game.

Despite the 115 caps for England, despite the numerous cups he has won since his exit from Old Trafford, despite the phenomenal work-rate and flawless image he resiliently strived to demonstrate, Beckham’s career wasn’t what it should have been, that should be the most saddening eulogy to an otherwise incredible career.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Manchester City: Mancini sacked, but are City right to go for Pellegrini?

  By O-Posts Team | May 16, 2013 - 22:23 | , , , , ,
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Perhaps the most startling aspect of Roberto Mancini’s sacking as Manchester City manager on Monday evening was the speed of it, coming just over 48 hours after the Qatari owners watch their side produce a sluggish display in defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup final.

Rumours that the Eastlands hierarchy held a lack of faith in Mancini’s reign had been circulating in the build-up to the final, in tandem with City’s relinquishing of the Premier League title back to neighbours Manchester United, and the bubbling prospect of Mancini’s overhauling had almost over-shadowed City’s presence at Saturday’s showpiece event.

A fine Wigan performance subjected Manchester City to a trophy-less campaign and it proved to be the final scene in Mancini’s eventful three and a half year act in English football. The lack of success proved to have had little affect on the thinking of his employers however, hinting that as Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the City chairman, stood alongside his manager to convey the Wembley pitch in the build-up to Saturday’s kick-off, he was well-drilled in the Italian manager’s fate.

Having woke up on Saturday to intensified speculation that Manuel Pellegrini, the Qatari owner’s reported choice to succeed Mancini, was on his way in, City fans were vocal in their support of the manager at Wembley. Many also lined the streets of Manchester on Tuesday to remind the outgoing manager the high regard he was held amongst City fans who watched him deliver their first league championship in 44 years. A managerial sacking after a season which delivered a second-place league finish and a runners-up spot in the FA Cup seemed not to sit will with a fan-base still familiar with the trips to Grimsby and Stockport that illustrated the era of mundane failure at the turn of the millennium.

The statement which accompanied Mancini’s removal did mention that “he had failed to achieve on of its targets for the year”, hinting at the lack of silverware, but the meat of the parting prose came in identifying his successor as somebody who would “ensure a more holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club”.

A summer in which Mancini was restricted in the transfer market, adding just Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic to his championship-winning squad whilst their city neighbours got significantly stronger with the acquisitions of Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie, saw the Italian blame the board for his struggles to defend that title. From then on, there was a suspicion the writing was on the wall.

Frayed relationships have appeared not to have eased as the naturally abrasive and polemic Mancini has also publicly criticised his squad on numerous occasions as well as entertaining the circus of lunacy accompanying Mario Balotelli, before he was left with little choice but to jettison the young Italian back to Milan in January. Communication problems with the board seem to have passed beyond the point of repair as City have produced a laborious struggle on the field.

Whilst Mancini wrestled with his volatile nature and an unsettled squad, Sir Alex Ferguson managed to keep a tight reign on his despite the bitter failure of the preceding campaign and was fully-focused on retrieving the title, becoming his 13th of the Premier League era. The importance of maintaining an almost-autocratic reign on a club to ensure long-term success has been emphasised by Ferguson’s recent retirement and it is something City are looking to replicate, starting with the ousting of their quarrelsome coach.

It seems like Pellegrini, the Chilean coach of La Liga club Malaga, does seem to be Manchester City’s preferred choice to takeover as news of his talks with the clubs has emerged in the aftermath of Mancini’s passing. The 59 year old has built a reputation as a superb tactician during his time in Spain with Villarreal, who he guided to a Champions League semi-final in 2006 as well as a second place league finish in the midst of the Real Madrid, Barcelona duopoly in 2008, and now Malaga, whom he led to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history last season.

The rise of the Andalusian club has been heavily funded by the riches of Sheikh Al Thani, though the financial turbulence caused by the benefactor’s possible withdrawal in the summer that sparked the sale of Santi Cazorla, Joris Mathijsen and Salomon Rondon as well as Nacho Monreal in January,  has failed to significantly hinder Pellegrini who has kept the club in the hunt for another Champions League qualification (though UEFA rulings have barred the club from competing in Europe next year due to financial irregularities) and came within seconds of eliminating finalists Borussia Dortmund from the quarter-final stage of this year’s competition.

The mitigating presence of the rich owner can be excused when it is considered Pellegrini was forced to spend nothing in the summer but has still churned out a year of relative success. Yet critics will point to his trophy-less year at Real Madrid, when he was backed to the tune of £200 million by president Florentino Perez, signing the quadrant of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso, as a foreboding aspect of Pellegrini’s arrival in Manchester, though one should expect less interference from the Qatari ownership in contrast to Perez, who prohibited Pellegrini from picking Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben and refused to speak to his coach when he did. The relationship with his president was further skewed by the decision to pick Gonzalo Higuain ahead of the £30 million signing Karim Benzema.

Despite the counter-productive political battle with Perez and the board, Pellegrini led Madrid to a 96 point finish, a club record, but finished runner-up to a Barcelona side the Chilean referred to as the “best Barcelona in history”. Bemoaning the reckless Galactico philosophy of Madrid on his way out, Pellegrini was duly sacked after just one year, but it is rather harsh to overlook the context which has caused the coach to be without any silverware outside of his native South America. Mancini has dictated that City should look to somebody who offers far more than just results and Pellegrini ticks that box.

The way in which Pellegrini has kept his side motivated in this season’s La Liga despite the prospect of no European football for next year has shown his ability to keep tight control over his players, whilst the impressive form of Javier Saviola, Julio Baptista and Joaquin, all players previously discarded on the continent, suggests the extent of what he can force out of stretched resources. His record in Europe is also already more attractive than Mancini’s, whose limitations were exposed most drastically on the continent with two-group stage exits during his spell at Eastlands.

With an FA Cup win and a Premier League title to his name from his time in England, there was possibly enough to draw a valid argument for Mancini to be given another year in charge of Manchester City, though the owners have chosen to dispense with the manager who struggled to grasp the aspects of football coaching other than simply getting results.

Pellegrini’s trophy cabinet is bare, but that should be irrespective to his possible succession, a manager’s validity should go deeper than that, something that City’s owners have shown their appreciation of.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Paul Scholes: A Tribute to the Ginger Maestro

  By O-Posts Team | May 16, 2013 - 19:11 | , , , ,
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It is no coincidence that my 50th article of 2013 is on the Ginger Maestro. It is fitting that we revere and sendoff the great Paul Scholes in the grandest of styles. He may have retired before, but his comeback was even more phenomenal. After seven months out of the game, the pass King returned to help his old teammates when he felt they were short in a position he occupied and made his own for many years. One of the best players of his era deserves much more than laudatory remarks.

Despite his small frame, the majestic genius was so good he rarely ever put a foot wrong. How can you begin to acknowledge his contributions to the now rich Manchester United history. He picked up his 11th League winners medal on Sunday. The very same day that will represent his last ever as a a footballer at Old Trafford. He was injured for much of the year, but when he played from the start of the season, he was almost impeccable (bar his mistimed tackles).

The peak of his performance came in the 3-2 loss to Spurs at the Theatre last year where he attempted a mind boggling 144 passes only in the 2nd half. It was quite simply  astounding. The masterclass midfielder has dominated matches aplenty with his exceptional and unique skill and technique. Eyebrows were raised when he decided to clean up his old boots and get back on the pitch he sorely missed for the seven months he was out.

I, for one, was pissed that his last ever game as an esteemed professional would be that excruciating defeat to Barcelona in the UCL final at the new Wembley. Even though I was slightly excited by the way six players of the Blaugrana fought for his jersey, it wasn’t at all gratifying. It was relieving when he decided to give playing for Manchester United one final shot. I didn’t bother what the aftermath of his return would be.

All that mattered was that one of my all time favourite footballers was back. Not many can come out of retirement and still have a great impact on affairs. Paul Scholes was one of the select few. A  great master cannot suddenly become a student however long the hiatus could ever be. It was an effortless return to action in January 2011 and from then on, we were treated to some of the most scintillating performances ever seen.

He sparked the Manchester United revival that season and if not for some moments of madness, it would have ended in glory until Aguero broke our hearts on the last day of the season. He didn’t retire because he was aware that Manchester United don’t back down when the battle is at its fiercest.  True to the United spirit and drive that the equally supernatural Sir Alex Ferguson has instilled  in his team, the red army came roaring this term and no one could as much as muster a challenge when the march began and ended in victory.

The 13th Premier League and 20th English topflight crown was sealed in April and thus, it meant the grand old magician could have his swansong at Old Trafford entrenched in exaltation and splendor. Rio Ferdinand made sure the ginger Prince bowed out in style when he sent in an unstoppable cracker past the Swansea goalie in the 87th minute to gift our beloved Manchester United the win. It was written in the stars. A tad better than the sendoff two years prior and a much greater feeling of satisfaction and serenity.

When the World’s greatest ever footballer sings your praise, you know you are truly special. The exemplary and sometimes annoying Edson Arantes (PELE) was in awe of Paul Scholes. The Brazilian all time great was of the opinion that if the man affectionately called ‘SATNAV’ had been his teammate, he definitely would have scored more than the 1200+ goals he managed in his peerless career to date. Zinedine Zidane singled out Paul as the most difficult opponent he has ever faced. The former World and European Footballer of the year and the best player to come out of France. That says it all.

Other legitimate Legends like Thierry Henry, Luis Figo, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, etc have done their fair share of eulogies too. It is no mistake that Bobby Charlton calls the retiring great his favourite  footballer who epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and everything about Football. Another England great and a not too bad pass master, Glenn Hoddle extolled his sterling qualities, tagging him the jewel in the crown and unarguably one of the best footballers of his generation. Perhaps the finest of his age.

Paul Scholes is one of the very best of any generation. He could fit into any team in any era. His accumulation of cards was just one blip in a career worthy of praise and emulation. However, the man had self control and restraint when necessary. Despite receiving 97 yellow cards in the premier league, only on four occasions did he actually get sent off. His challenges were sometimes criminal, but largely thrown overboard and exaggerated by a large section of the media whose hate and envy of Manchester United increase on a daily basis.

It was Sven-Goran Eriksson (nicknamed Svennis) that denied England fans and the country itself the opportunity to see Scholesy in prime form. He retired at 29 because he was abandoned on the left wing in favour of Lampard and Gerrard who can never ever match his explosiveness and knack for finding the right man. Scholes is and will forever be incomparable on and off the pitch. Many attempts to get him back playing for the three lions hit a brick wall and rightly so. He was discarded like rotten potato..You can’t eat your fiesta and have it.

It isn’t just his on-the-pitch exploits that sets him apart. Scholes is one of the most humble and down to earth footballers of all time. Never one for the razzmatazz of the game nor for the celebrity lifestyle. A pure family person who drives home straight after training or any football match, avoiding interviews and what have you. You rarely come across a player with the complete package.

Here you have one of the world’s greatest ever players who prefers his football and family to fame and recognition and embraces glory rather than popularity. Despite all these, his excellent contributions to the game we love so much made him so famous and well loved. Take away his erratic rashness and uncompromising tackles and you have an almost spotless career filled with collective titles and personal accolades.

Hasta la vista the best decision-maker in world football. The man who could pass from Manchester to Massachusetts with consummate ease. We obviously would not mind a third foray. Although, John McEnroe’s famous rant to the Chair Umpire in his playing days must spring up…….’YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS’

 

Written by Ohireime Eboreime

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Bacary Sagna: Will the Frenchman depart the Emirates this summer?

  By O-Posts Team | May 16, 2013 - 00:55 | , , , , ,
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In recent years, Arsenal have been lucky enough to have a line of very good right backs in their ranks. From the English bite of Lee Dixon to the undying passion of Lauren to the total commitment of Bacary Sagna, the right side of defence has not been a problematic position for Arsenal for quite some time. Sadly though, with Bacary Sagna’s contract up in the summer of 2014, and with no sign that their has been a contract offer to Sagna by the club, you can place a bet at William Hill that he will be heading to pastures new at some point this summer. Many believe so. It just looks the case.

Sagna has been a great servant to the club for six years since he joined from French club Auxerre in 2007. His energy, determination and talent have made him a huge asset, but with two leg breaks in the 2011-12 season, he has unfortunately lost his energy and ability to boss the right side of the pitch as effectively as he once could.

I still harbour hopes that he will sign a new deal as, while he may not be the player he was, he is an experienced member of the squad and knows the club inside out – proved when he referred to Spurs as ‘the enemy’ after beating them 5-2 in the 2011-12 season.

Furthermore, he can fill in at centre back if needed and is capable of putting in a shift at right back. Should this not happen, though, which looks increasing likely, he has to be replaced well. Some have suggested simply promoting Hector Bellerin to the first team squad and letting Carl Jenkinson take over as first choice right back. While I rate both of these players and I think both have futures at Arsenal, neither are completely ready for these roles in my opinion and an experienced professional is needed to guide these two young, talented defenders.

So who to replace Sagna with? Well, for me his successor must be a rock solid defender as Bac is and has to have enough experience to immediately slot in as first-choice right back with no problems or adjustment time. A strong attacking side of his game would also be welcome, as if Sagna had a weakness, it was his final ball when he gets into a good position, although being solid defensively must be the priority.

My number one choice to fill the gap Sagna will likely leave would be Micah Richards of Manchester City. He is perfect for this role. He is at the right age, has Premier League experience, is English so would fit in with the club’s British core and has already won trophies in England. Although I think it is unlikely Manchester City would part with such a brilliant player. Lukas Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund is another option but he recently signed a contract extension until 2017 and Dortmund will not want to sell another one of their key players so that is also a long shot.

Angel Rangel is an option, he was mentioned last summer and has had a very good second season in the Premier League with Swansea and could want to make the step up to a bigger club, but would he opt against playing European football with Swansea next season?

Whoever Arsene chooses to be Sagna’s replacement, I hope he is up to the task of taking over from a player who has repeatedly been chosen in the PFA team of the year and is as consistent as Bac has been for the last 6 years.

 

Written by Charlie Smith

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